Why a good resume is so important.

It's the first meeting between you and a prospective employer...

You have heard the expression "First impressions are lasting ones." Well, your resume is the first meeting between you and a prospective employer more often now than ever. So, how do you want to be remembered? Wrinkled and unorganized. Neat and structured. Long and boring. Precise and interesting. Companies do not have the time to interview every applicant that is interested in the job. If they did, there would not be a company to work for. They use an eliminating process. That's right - resumes.

They tell the employer a great deal about you...

Resumes tell an employer a great deal about you. Where you have been, where you are and where you are headed. However, the story must be told quickly and clearly. You only have a few moments to convince the employer that your resume deserves further attention before it's trashed. Your resume needs to shout - professionally, "I am the one you want on your team." So much so, that even if you are not appropriate for the advertised position, he or she would be inclined to start one for you.

They tell you a great deal about yourself...

Resumes also tell you a great deal about yourself. Many people are unsure of exactly what they do for a living. Most people underestimate their importance to the overall success of the business. Once you stop and think about your job responsibilities , you realize you do and know a lot. You begin to gain confidence about you and your qualifications. This new found confidence can be carried to the interview.

Its purpose is to get the interview...

The purpose of the resume is to get the interview. After reading it, employers should want to get to know you better. Your resume is your friend, if properly prepared. If not, it could be just the thing that loses your opportunity. Use it to your advantage. You have complete control over whatever employer knows about you. Never falsify information, but emphasize the good, and de-emphasize the bad. Make sure your lasting impression is a profound and positive one.

The Value of Networking

There is an old saying that "it's not what you know, it's who you know." No where else does this hold true than in Buffalo New York, a town so small that people jokingly say there are three (3) degrees of separation as opposed to six (6) in bigger areas. Networking is one of the most essential skills to develop and if used correctly can provide much in the way of positive returns. Networking has been defined as "developing a broad list of contacts -- people you've met through various social and business functions -- and using them to your advantage when you look for a job."

The seven (7) Steps to Successful Networking:

1. Develop a firm grasp of job search basics.
   
2. Conduct a self-assessment. An honest review of your strengths and weaknesses is vital. You should also make some decisions relating to the types of jobs you want and the types of companies and industries that interest you.
3. Prepare a strong resume. If you don't already have a resume, now is the time to develop one. You should ideally develop two resumes -- one in traditional format and one in scannable format. (Contact us to assist you with this)
4. Decide how to organize your network. This step is crucial to your success. If you have ongoing access to a computer, the best method is a database or spreadsheet where you can enter key information, such as names, titles, company names, addresses, phone numbers, fax numbers, email addresses, and dates of communication. Keeping an organized collection of business cards, where you can write notes and comments about your network, is another alternative.
5. Communicate with your network. It is extremely important to stay in touch with your network, which you can easily do by phone, mail, or email. Don't be afraid to ask for their help. Most people like helping others, and you must communicate your current needs with your network in order for them to be able to help you.
6. Initiate informational interviews. One of the best ways to gain more information about an occupation or industry -- and to build a network of contacts in that field -- is to talk with people who are currently working in the field. The purpose of the informational interview is to obtain information, not to get a job.
7. Follow up with your network. The key is keeping your network informed of your situation and thanking them for their efforts. Never take your network for granted.

In order to build a strong network, never take any opportunity to connect with someone new for granted. Take a chance and go places where you have never gone before and commit yourself to speaking to at least five (5) people that you have never met. You must begin to be comfortable with being uncomfortable if you want a network that will work for you.

One site that we here at Successful Career Solutions has found to be a great tool for networking is www.linkedin.com.